BAföG - 29th BAföG Amendment Act
The 29th BAföG Amendment Act (BAföGÄndG) will come into force from the winter semester 2024/2025. Anyone who has not previously received BAföG funding could now receive BAföG from the winter semester 2024/2025. Both the allowances and the rates of need will be increased. Study start-up aid, which can be applied for independently of BAföG, is being introduced for the first time. We have summarized this and other changes below.
1. Increase in BAföG income allowances by 5.25 %
The increase in income allowances should mean that more students receive BAföG. These allowances determine how much students are allowed to earn so that they can still receive BAföG benefits.
2. Increase in the BAföG basic requirement rates by 5 %
The BAföG basic requirement increases by 5% from €452 to €475.
3. Increase in the BAföG housing requirement
The BAföG housing requirement for students who do not live with their parents increases from €360 to €380.
4. BAföG health and long-term care insurance supplements will be updated
The supplements will be increased, but vary depending on the age and type of insurance of the BAföG recipients.
How high will the BAföG benefit rates be?
The new allowances and requirement rates will apply from the start of the winter semester 2024/2025 for new BAföG grants, and for continued funding from October 2024 at the latest.
There are graduated requirement rates depending on insurance contributions - as well as the type of accommodation.
The following will apply from fall 2024:
| Health and long-term care insurance | Age | in Germany or within the EU | |
| living away from home | living with parents | ||
| without own insurance contributions, because of family insurance | up to 24 (Extension for previously voluntary services) | 812€ -> 855€ | 511€ -> 534€ |
| with own insurance contributions | up to 29 | 934€ -> 992€ | 633€ -> 671€ |
| own voluntary statutory insurance | from 30 | 1.018€ -> 1.088€ | 717€ -> 767€ |
5. Dynamization of the mini-job limit
Students' mini-jobs are not counted towards BAföG. The mini-job limit, which has been higher since 2024, will be adjusted from fall 2024 and the mini-job limit for 2025 will be anticipated. In future, the respective mini-job limit in BAföG will be implemented by BMBF regulation without a change in the law:
| Minimum wage | Minijob-Limit | Job without deductions for BAföG (every euro more is counted proportionately) | |
| Year 2023 | 12,00 €/h | 520 €/mth. | 520 €/mth. |
| Year 2024 | 12,41 €/h | 538 €/mth. | Until Fall: 520 €/mth. |
| Year 2025 | 12,82 €/h | 556 €/mth. | 556 €/mth. |
6. Maximum BAföG funding period is supplemented by a “flexibility semester”
In future, the maximum BAföG funding period can exceed the standard period of study by one “flexibility semester”. This can be used either in the Bachelor's or Master's degree course.
7. Later change of subject area up to the start of the 5th semester
In future, it will be possible to change subject area one semester later, i.e. if a change is made before the start of the 5th semester, the new course can also be funded if there is an important reason. This will create more flexibility for students and counteract drop-outs.
8. Non-consideration of the income of underage siblings
With BAföG, the income of siblings under the age of 18 whose education is not eligible for BAföG funding is no longer counted towards the increased parental allowance. This reduces the workload for both the applicant and the authorities and increases the entitlement to funding.
9. Introduction of study start-up aid
Study start-up aid in the amount of € 1,000 was introduced as a one-off support payment when starting a first degree course as a full grant for first-semester students under the age of 25, provided that one of eight social benefits was received in the month prior to the start of the course. The study start-up grant can be applied for independently of any subsequent BAföG entitlement and is not offset against BAföG.
10. No tightening of the repayment modalities
A tightening of the BAföG repayment will not be realized. Although the BAföG grant paid out during the course of study can be five times higher, a maximum of 10,010 euros must be repaid without interest depending on income.
Further information on the BAföG reform can be found on the BMFTR website.
